Sacramento Kings Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for February
The ship has already sailed for the Sacramento Kings to make the playoffs in the 2014-15 season. However, there are still plenty of games left on the schedule that should be enticing matchups.
There's also still plenty to play for. For one, the Kings still have their pride. They also have a realistic shot at topping 30 wins for the first time since the 2007-08 campaign.
Of course, there's also the possibility the Kings can keep their first-round draft pick. The selection is currently headed to the Chicago Bulls, but Sacramento will keep it if it falls within the top 10. Sitting with the eighth-worst record currently, there's a good chance that happens, especially if the Kings continue to drop games.
The Kings have already dropped their first game of the month, a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 3. But there are other tilts worth noting. Let's take a look at the remainder of Sacramento's February schedule and highlight some contests that will either be fun to watch or provide a realistic shot at getting a win.
Feb. 5-7
1 of 5
Key Matchup: Feb. 7 at Utah Jazz (W)
Rest of Schedule: Feb. 5 vs. Dallas Mavericks (L)
A Feb. 7 game against the Utah Jazz is Sacramento's best shot at getting a win in the first week of the month.
The Jazz and the Kings have similar records at this point, although Sacramento topped Utah 101-92 on Dec. 8, their only other matchup of the season.
The Kings did that without DeMarcus Cousins in the lineup. Having the big fella back should be a big help, especially against a Utah team that has plenty of size and talent in the frontcourt with Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter and Rudy Gobert manning the 4 and 5 spots.
Gobert, in particular, should make this a fun one to watch. The Frenchman is a force around the rim, blocking 2.1 shots per contest despite playing only 21.8 minutes. Of course, at 220 pounds, he doesn't have much girth behind him, and Cousins should be able to overpower him near the hoop.
The contest against the Dallas Mavericks figures to be more difficult. The Kings have fallen to Dallas twice already this season, and with the way Sacramento's been playing lately, it's hard to see them competing against a playoff-caliber team like the Mavs.
Record: 1-1
Feb. 8-14
2 of 5
Key Matchup: Feb. 8 vs. Phoenix Suns (L)
Rest of Schedule: Feb. 10 at Chicago Bulls (L), Feb. 11 at Milwaukee Bucks (L)
Home games against the Suns have taken on more meaning now that former Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas is in Phoenix. This is Thomas' second trip back to Sacramento, as his Suns were victorious on Dec. 26, winning 115-106.
For Sacramento to have a chance in this one, it'll need to find a way to shut down Phoenix's dribble penetration. The Suns' three-headed monster at point guard (Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas) combined for 51 points and 17 assists in that game, and it was largely because of its ability to get into the paint.
As a team, Phoenix made 14 three-pointers in that Dec. 26 contest. That can't happen again, and a big part of that will be preventing the Suns guards from collapsing the defense.
Games at Chicago and Milwaukee will be difficult. The Kings topped the Bulls at home 103-88 on Nov. 20, and that was largely because Cousins was effective against Joakim Noah, scoring 22 points and grabbing 14 boards. He'll need a similar effort for the Kings to have a chance.
The Milwaukee game is a back-to-back contest on the road. The Kings are 7-14 on the road this season and already lost to the Bucks at home 108-107 on Dec. 18.
Record: 0-3
Feb. 15-21
3 of 5
Key Matchup: Feb. 20 vs. Boston Celtics (W)
Rest of Schedule: Feb. 21 at Los Angeles Clippers (L)
The Feb. 20 game against the Boston Celtics is one the Kings can win. Sacramento had an embarrassing performance in Boston on New Year's Eve, falling to the Celtics, 106-84.
The Celtics were able to get inside Cousins' head, constantly hacking and fouling him. His frustrations came to a boiling point when he took issue with the way Marcus Smart ran through a screen, slamming him down on an ensuing possession and getting ejected after drawing his second technical.
All in all, that might've been Sacramento's most abysmal performance of the season, especially considering the competition. The Kings only shot 36.8 percent from the field, and no Sacramento player scored more than 14 points.
A full dose of DeMarcus Cousins and some better shooting from the supporting cast should make the difference.
The following night at the Clippers will be a loss. Sacramento's only saving grace is that it's 1-0 against L.A. when Cousins plays this year. That one win was way back on Nov. 2. Cousins had 34 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in that one. Rudy Gay and Darren Collison also combined for an additional 39 points.
About the only way for the Kings to win is a similar performance from their three best players.
Record: 1-1
Feb. 22-28
4 of 5
Key Matchup: Feb. 27 vs. San Antonio Spurs (L)
Rest of Schedule: Feb. 25 vs. Memphis Grizzlies (L)
The two games to finish off the schedule figure to be difficult ones for the Kings. However, the contest against San Antonio is more intriguing.
For one, the Spurs are the defending champs, and this will be their second visit to Sacramento. Depending on what happens after the season, it also may be the last time Kings fans get to see Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker all playing together.
The Kings beat San Antonio 94-91 back on Nov. 15. They also fell to the Spurs in San Antonio 112-104 a couple weeks later on Nov. 28. Parker and Kawhi Leonard torched Sacramento in the loss, and holding them down will be easier said than done.
The tilt against Memphis is a difficult one for the Kings. With Memphis' frontcourt duo of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, it should be able to neutralize Cousins. Tony Allen also figures to make life difficult for Rudy Gay on the wing.
Sacramento's only chance will require a big game from Ben McLemore and Darren Collison. McLemore dropped 18 points and Collison chipped in 16 on Nov. 30, which turned out to be a 97-85 Kings loss. However, Cousins missed that game. With a similar effort from the backcourt and some production out of DMC, the Kings might be able to steal this one.
Record: 0-2
February Recap
5 of 5
It's difficult to see the Kings doing much in February. It doesn't help that Sacramento has a fairly difficult schedule, but it would struggle regardless of the competition. The team is simply lost right now, having gone 6-17 since Tyrone Corbin took over as head coach.
Perhaps the silver lining is the All-Star Game. It'll provide the Sacramento an opportunity to get some rest; more importantly, it'll give it a mental break. Maybe then the Kings can come back more motivated. It's clear they're still reeling from former head coach Michael Malone's firing, but they need to move on at some point. Maybe the All-Star break will be that time.
Plus, the All-Star Game features DeMarcus Cousins. He's the first Sacramento player to make it since Peja Stojakovic and Brad Miller went in 2003-04. At least that'll give Cousins and the fans something to look forward to.
February Record: 2-7
All stats accurate through games played on Feb. 4 and come via Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.
What do you think of the Kings' chances in February? Let me know on Twitter @SimRisso.
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